Heart Disease

Nutrition Strategies to Reduce Heart Disease Risk

Feeding your heart well is a powerful way to reduce or even eliminate some risk factors. Adopting a heart-healthy nutrition strategy can help reduce total and LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol), lower blood pressure, lower blood sugars, and reduce body weight. While most dietary plans just tell you what you CAN'T eat (usually your favorite foods!), the most powerful nutrition strategy helps you focus on what you CAN eat. In fact, heart disease research has shown that adding heart-saving foods is just as important as cutting back on others.

Here are nine nutrition strategies to reduce your risk:

Eat more fish.

Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.

Choose fat calories wisely.

Eat a variety -- and just the right amount -- of protein foods.

Limit cholesterol consumption.

Feed your body regularly.

Reduce salt intake.

Exercise.

Hydrate.

Enjoy every bite.